Intel Core i7-3615QE vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2104G and Intel Core i7-3615QE are two very different approaches to a quad-core processor. One is a modern workstation part built for stability and ECC memory, while the other is an older mobile chip designed for laptops. The benchmark data shows a clear, if narrow, performance hierarchy between them, with the Xeon taking every recorded win.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon E-2104G across all six Cinebench tests. The margins are consistent and small, never exceeding 1.5 percent, but they are uniform in every workload. This indicates a fundamental efficiency advantage for the newer architecture rather than a workload-specific strength.

In Cinebench R15, the Xeon E-2104G scores 488 points in multi-core, compared to 481 points for the Core i7-3615QE. That is a 1.5 percent lead. The single-core test shows the same 1.5 percent delta, with scores of 68 and 67, respectively. These are very close results, suggesting that the older Ivy Bridge core still holds up reasonably well in legacy rendering tasks.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern remains identical. The Xeon scores 2035 in multi-core versus 2005 for the i7-3615QE, a 1.5 percent advantage. The single-core result is 287 versus 283, which is a 1.4 percent lead. The consistency of these deltas across both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests points to a balanced architectural uplift rather than a scaling issue.

The newest rendering workload, Cinebench R23, tells the same story. The Xeon E-2104G records 4847 points in multi-core, while the i7-3615QE manages 4774, a 1.5 percent difference. Single-core scores are 684 and 674, respectively, again a 1.5 percent lead. The data indicates that the Xeon does not suddenly pull ahead in modern workloads; it simply maintains the same narrow edge.

The aggregate average benchmark score reinforces this. The Xeon E-2104G has an average score of 1402, while the i7-3615QE sits at 1381. That is a 1.5 percent overall difference in the database's combined metrics. The Xeon's percentile ranking is 37, compared to 36 for the i7-3615QE, placing both near the middle of the database's CPU pool.

The nearest rivals for the Xeon E-2104G include the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 with an average score of 1401 (a 0.1 percent delta) and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404 (a -0.2 percent delta). The i7-3615QE's closest competitors are AMD server parts, including the Opteron 6238 at 1383 (-0.1 percent) and the Opteron 6366 HE at 1379 (0.1 percent). This shows both CPUs are clustered tightly with their peers, but the Xeon's position is slightly higher.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental gap between these CPUs is generational. The Xeon E-2104G is built on Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, using Intel's 14 nm process node. The i7-3615QE is an Ivy Bridge part on the 22 nm node. This process difference alone explains much of the efficiency and clock behavior.

The Xeon E-2104G has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock listed in the database. The i7-3615QE has a much lower base clock of 2.30 GHz, but it does have a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. This means the older chip can reach a higher peak frequency, but it must work harder thermally to do so. The Xeon relies on its higher sustained base clock and newer core design to win benchmarks.

Core counts are identical at 4 cores, but thread counts differ. The Xeon E-2104G runs 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading), while the i7-3615QE runs 8 threads. Despite having half the thread count, the Xeon still wins multi-core Cinebench tests. This is a direct result of the architectural efficiency and clock advantage, as the i7's extra threads cannot compensate for the older core design.

Cache configurations differ as well. The Xeon E-2104G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3615QE has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The larger L3 cache on the Xeon provides more headroom for modern workloads that benefit from larger data sets being held on-die.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Xeon supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7-3615QE supports dual-channel but has no listed memory type or bandwidth in the database. More importantly, the Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for workstation reliability. The i7-3615QE does not support ECC.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Xeon E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630, while the i7-3615QE has Intel HD 4000. The Xeon's graphics are newer and designed for professional workstation display output, though the database does not provide performance numbers for either.

Physical specifications show the generational shift. The Xeon has a die size of 126 mm², while the i7-3615QE has a die size of 160 mm². The i7 also lists 1,400 million transistors, while the Xeon's transistor count is not recorded. The smaller die on the newer process explains the efficiency gains.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance based on the data?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2104G wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 488 in R15, 2035 in R20, and 4847 in R23, each time beating the Core i7-3615QE with a 1.5 percent delta.

Q: Does the Core i7-3615QE's 8 threads help it in any benchmark?

A: No. Despite having 8 threads versus the Xeon's 4 threads, the i7-3615QE loses every recorded multi-core test. The Xeon's higher 3.20 GHz base clock and newer architecture overcome the thread deficit.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Xeon E-2104G leads in single-core tests by 1.4 to 1.5 percent. Scores are 68 versus 67 in R15, 287 versus 283 in R20, and 684 versus 674 in R23.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2104G supports ECC memory. The Core i7-3615QE does not have ECC support, which is a significant factor for workstation or server use.

Q: How do their process nodes compare?

A: The Xeon E-2104G is built on a 14 nm process, while the i7-3615QE uses a 22 nm process. This gives the Xeon a manufacturing advantage in terms of power efficiency and die size, with a 126 mm² die versus 160 mm².

Q: What are their release dates?

A: The Xeon E-2104G was released on 2018-07-11, while the i7-3615QE was released on 2012-04-28. The Xeon is a much newer design, which explains its architectural advantages.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2104G | Intel Core i7-3615QE |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None listed | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 160 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2012-04-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $193 | Not listed |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2104G wins every recorded benchmark, so its strengths are clear. It is the superior choice for any workload that relies on sustained CPU performance, particularly rendering tasks in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its support for ECC memory and DDR4 memory makes it suitable for workstation environments where data integrity is critical. The 65 W TDP is higher than the mobile chip, but that is the tradeoff for a socketed desktop/server part with a higher base clock.

The Intel Core i7-3615QE has no benchmark wins in the database, but its profile suggests different use cases. Its 45 W TDP is significantly lower, making it a more power-efficient option for mobile or embedded applications. The 8 threads may provide better responsiveness in heavily threaded, low-clock workloads, though the data does not show any such advantage. Its BGA 1023 socket means it is soldered to the motherboard, which is typical for laptops. The lack of ECC support and DDR4 memory limits its appeal for modern server tasks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2104G is the faster processor in every tested workload. The 1.5 percent lead in multi-core and single-core tests is consistent across all Cinebench versions. For a builder looking at a workstation build, the Xeon E-2104G offers the newer 14 nm architecture, larger 8 MB L3 cache, DDR4 memory support, and ECC functionality. Its 37th percentile ranking and average score of 1402 place it slightly ahead of the i7-3615QE's 36th percentile and 1381 average.

The Core i7-3615QE remains a viable part only for its 45 W power envelope and mobile form factor. It is a 2012-era design with a 22 nm process and a 160 mm² die. Its 8 threads do not translate into any measured performance win. The i7's only advantage is its lower power draw, but that is offset by the fact that it is a soldered mobile chip with no ECC support and no DDR4 memory.

Any user prioritizing raw performance, modern memory support, or data integrity should select the Intel Xeon E-2104G. Those constrained by power limits in a mobile chassis might consider the i7-3615QE, but the recorded data offers no performance reason to do so. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $193, which reflects its workstation positioning, and the database shows it delivers on that positioning with a definitive, albeit narrow, performance victory.